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Halfway through his first season replacing Doug McCarter, Brayton's on his way. His Mustangs already had as many wins through 15 games (six) as they did in each of the past two seasons.

And if they can just say they've accomplished Brayton's top three goals by season's end, it will be a success.

The key to the team's turnaround is defense, and not that frantic, full-court pressure 'D' teams like Yates and Wheatley employ with such success. Brayton's plans for Taylor are more old-school.

He doesn't want to slow the tempo, just control it on the defensive end.

"What I want our staple to be eventually is half-court, man-to-man defense," Brayton said. "We're not much of a pressing team but we want to make it a five-on-five game, and if you beat our five guys on defense than you were the better team that night."

The players leading the change are the three junior returners: post Conner Cella, guard John Starks and point guard Rob Atkins, who was injured much of last season.

Cella was a second-team all-district pick as a sophomore. He's the key to any success this squad will have. He averaged a double-double through 15 games - and he's just now rounding into shape.

"He was a big key on (the Mustangs) football team," Brayton said. "He starts on their defensive line, and he's actually being looked at for (college) football.

"He's a really athletic kid for his size."

At 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, he takes up a lot of room, and he has great hands and an assortment of post moves.

"He's very tough inside because he has a pretty wide body and he's also a really strong kid," Brayton said. "He's just very hard to stop inside. For his size, and how big he is, he can actually dunk a basketball."

Starks has shown great improvement in shot selection. The key for him, Brayton says, is to attack the basket more, and use his explosive athleticism off the dribble to open up his outside shooting.

"John has a scorer's mentality, which is good, but it can also be bad," Brayton said. "He just really likes to score the ball. You like to have one of those. We're really working on improving his shot selection.

"But one thing about John is, he works hard every day. He really cares about improving his game."

Several newcomers are lending a hand, too.

Sophomore SG Mike Walters (6-0), another football crossover, is the Mustangs' top perimeter defender, and junior P Jordan Bryan (6-3), a move-in from Seven Lakes, is another capable scorer.

Sophomore Phillip Kerr is starting at the point, with Atkins backing him up.

"With this group it's at least a two-year plan that we're putting in," Brayton said. "With really only two guys with heavy varsity experience, that's what we're learning right now - how to play at that speed."

The Mustangs picked up most of their victories during a five-game winning streak, capped by perhaps their biggest win, 55-52 over Dobie on Dec. 2. It also knocked off Clements 47-39 on Dec. 7.

With a few less turnovers, they might have more, and that's why Brayton is happy - but, like most coaches, could be happier.

"I'm pleased with how far we've come since we first started here at the beginning of the year because they do play hard, they're very coachable and most days the bring it at practice," Brayton said.